1)What did the ant say?
Once, the Prophet of Allah Almighty, Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام along with a massive group of people passed by a place where they noticed a lot of ants. As soon as the queen of ants saw the massive group passing by, she said to the ants around: ‘Oh ants! Go back your homes, lest Hadrat Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and his troop would crush you unknowingly.’ Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام heard the ant talking when he was three (3) miles away. He smiled, and then he stopped his troops, so that the ants could go back their homes. Allah Almighty mentioned this parable in the Holy Quran in this way: Until when they came to the valley of the ants, an ant exclaimed, ‘O ants, enter your homes; Sulaimaan and his armies may not crush you, unknowingly.’ [Kanz-ul- Irfan (translation of Quran)] (Part 19, Surah Al-Naml, Verse 18-19) Dear little boys and girls! This real parable (a true story) taught us a lot of beautiful things. The first thing that we’ve learnt is that Allah Almighty has bestowed the power upon His prophet عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام which enables him to listen to the extreme low voice of ants, even when he is three (3) miles away. Now imagine, if Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام has such power to listen, then how great the power of listening and seeing of the master of all the prophets, our Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would be! The second thing that we learnt is that an ant knows that a prophet of Allah Almighty would not be cruel and unjust, hence she requested the other ants that: ‘O ants, enter your homes – may not Hadrat Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and his troop crush you unknowingly.’ The third thing that we learnt is that the Prophets would not oppress but have mercy even on the animals. Therefore, we should also show mercy to animals.
2) First boat of the world
Many hundreds of years ago, Sayyiduna Nuh عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, a prophet of Allah Almighty was present in the world. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would try his best to call his nation towards Islam and bring them onto the right path and good deeds. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام kept spreading the message of Allah Almighty for 950 years but only 80 people accepted Islam and became Muslims. When he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام became sure that no one from his nation would embrace Islam, Allah Almighty accepted his Du’a and commanded him to make a boat. Sayyiduna Nuh عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام along with the other believers started the project of making ‘the first ever boat of the world.’ However, the bad people of his nation would annoy him in different ways, but he would be patient and stick to the command. What did the boat look like? C The boat was three hundred (300) yards long, fifty (50) yards wide, and three hundred (300) yards high. C It had three (3) levels. C The bottom floor i.e. the ground floor was for birds, the middle floor for the animals, and the top floor was for human beings. C It approximately took a hundred (100) years to build this boat. The sign of upcoming flood was that the water would gush out from the earthen oven (where the bread was cooked) present at Sayyiduna Nuh’s house. One day, Sayyiduna Nuh عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام noticed water in the earthen oven, so he ordered the birds, animals, and Muslims to get into the boat and so did they. And it started raining so heavily that the land broke apart from many places, and water started coming out of the land as well. The rain continued to fall for forty (40) days. The forty (40) yards high mountains were submerged in water, there was no one alive except for the animals and humans in the boat. Dear little boys and girls! This real story taught us a lesson that disobeying a prophet (عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام) will lead to total destruction, and those who obey prophet are always successful.
3) The staff of Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام
It was the day of Eid in the country of Egypt [Misr], the people dressed up and gathered in a large ground. Over there, a contest was held between the seventy thousand (70,000) magicians of king Pharaoh and Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. All the magicians brought different ropes on three hundred (300) camels to the ground. Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was already present there with a heavenly staff in his hand. The magicians, out of respect, asked Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام: ‘Will you put your stick on the ground first or do we put our things first?’ He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said: ‘Put your things on the ground first!’ Just as the magicians put all the ropes and woods on the ground, the ground looked as if it was covered by pythons. Looking at this, people got scared. Following that, when Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام put his heavenly staff on the ground, it converted into a serpent (a large snake) and it ate all the ropes and woods which seemed to be snakes on the ground. Further, when Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام took the big snake into his hand, it transformed back into a heavenly staff again. When the magicians looked at this, they accepted prophethood of Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. (Siraat-ul-Jinan, vol. 3, p. 403, summarised) What did the heavenly staff look like? C The staff i.e. Aassa was made out of the wood of a heavenly tree. Sayyiduna Adam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام brought it from the Heaven. And after passing into the blessed hands of many prophets, it reached Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. (Khaazin, vol. 1, p. 57, summarised) C This staff was ten (10) yards long, it had two branches which would give light in darkness. (Tafseer Khaazin, vol. 1, p. 57, summarised) C When Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام used to sleep, this staff would take care of him. (Khaazin, vol. 3, p. 259, summarised) C The staff would walk with him and talk as well. It would push the animals away; it became a rope to take water out of the well. If it was planted in the land, it would become a tree and start bearing fruits. (Nasfi, p. 688, summarised) Dear little boys and girls! We came to know from this Quranic parable that the respect of Ambiya Kiraam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام is very important. Just because of the respect that they gave to Hadrat Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, those magicians became Muslims. (Qurtubi, vol. 4, p. 186, summarised) So we should also respect Ambiya Kiraams as well as the Awliya Kiraams, the Holy Quran, Abe Zamzam, the books of Islamic knowledge, Tasbih, the food and Sharbat (non-alcoholic permissible beverages) etc. of Niyaz.
4) Kept sleeping for 100 years
Once, Sayyiduna Uzayr عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, a beloved Prophet of Allah Almighty passed by the Bayt-ul-Maqdis (a beautiful place). He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام had dates in one bowl and grape juice in another, and he was riding on a donkey. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام went from one place to another at the Bayt-ul-Maqdis, but he couldn’t see anyone. All the houses were empty. After observing this, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said, as it is mentioned in the Holy Quran that: Translation: ‘How will Allah revive it, after it had perished?’ [Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 03, Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 259) After saying this, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام tied his animal to something and laid down to sleep. It was the morning time. When he slept, his soul was taken out and he kept sleeping for a hundred (100) years. During this time period, his Donkey died, but his blessed body remained intact and no one else was able to look at him. Then Allah Almighty made him alive during the time of evening and said: ‘Since how many days have you been here?’ He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said that: ‘One day or less than that.’ He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said it because according to him, it’s the evening of the same morning that he slept. Allah Almighty said: ‘You have stayed here for a hundred years. Look at all your edible things! They are absolutely fresh, and look at the condition of your donkey! When he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام looked at the dates and the grape juice, they were quite good, but his donkey had died, he could only see its bones. By the will of Allah Almighty, all of a sudden the donkey became alive again and started braying.’ When Sayyiduna Uzayr عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام saw this, he immediately said: ‘I know very well that whatever Allah Almighty wills, He does that.’ (Siraat-ul-Jinan, vol. 1, p. 391) Dear little boys and girls! This parable mentioned in the Holy Quran taught us that Allah Almighty can do whatever He wills. Allah Almighty made Sayyiduna Uzayr عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and his donkey alive again even after a hundred (100) years, in the same way Allah Almighty would resurrect all people on the Day of Judgement. And He will hold accountable everyone about their good and bad deeds. This parable also tells us the excellence of prophets, that even though he slept for a hundred (100) years, but by the will of Allah Almighty, nothing happened to his body and his food.
5) The four birds
A person was lying dead near the sea. Sometimes, the seawater would come over him and sometimes, it would go away from him. When the water would gush over him, fishes would eat him and when the water moved backwards, animals would eat him, and when the animals would be done eating him, the birds would start eating him. When Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام observed this, he said to Allah Almighty: ‘Oh Allah! I believe in the fact that you will resurrect the dead. And you will collect all the body parts of the dead from every place that they are scattered in, but I want to see it.’ Allah Almighty ordered him to raise four (4) birds and slaughter them, cut their neck and separate their heads and mix their meat into one another. Furthermore, keep little pieces of meat on various mountains! Then Allah Almighty asked him to stand on another mountain with the heads of these four birds and then call the birds out! After restoring their lives, the birds will come to you. Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام took hold of one rooster, one pigeon, one vulture and one peacock. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام raised them and slaughtered them, mixed their meats and kept it on the mountains and then said: ‘Oh Rooster! Oh pigeon! Oh vulture! Oh peacock!’ When they heard his voice, their meat started getting back together, and the bones joined to each other and after a while, four birds were formed. Thereafter the birds started flying and then joined their heads. (Ajaaib-ul-Quran ma’ Gharaib-ul-Quran, pp. 56-57) Dear little boys and girls! We came to know from this real parable that whatever the prophets عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام wish for, Allah Almighty complete their wish. If Prophets عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام want, the dead can be made alive again. The second thing we came to know that the way Allah Almighty made the birds alive, in the same way Allah Almighty will make us alive again on the Day of Judgement, even if the bodies have decayed completely.
6)The tallest wall of the world
A thousand years ago, the world was ruled by a pious person and saint of Allah Almighty, his name was ‘Alexander’ and he is also known as ‘Zul Qarnayn’. He was Sayyiduna Khizer’s عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام cousin [son of mother’s sister]. (Saawi, vol. 4, p. 1214 ma’ Nasfi, p. 661) Once while travelling to the north, he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه reached the mountains of a country, known as Turkistan. On one side of the mountains, some dangerous people known as Gog Magog (Yajooj Majooj) lived and on the other side of the mountain, the group of people lived who complained about Gog Magog to King Alexander. Moreover, they gave him treasure and asked him to build a strong wall, so that Gog Magog could not come near them. (Siraat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 6, p. 34, summarised)
7)In the belly of Fish
Thousands of years ago, non-Muslims resided in a country known as Iraq. Allah Almighty sent Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام to guide them on the right path. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام had been inviting them to accept Islam for nearly forty (40) years, but they didn’t become Muslims, so upon the commandment of Allah Almighty, Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام gave them the news of the torment of Allah, coming to their nation after three days. People knew that he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would never tell a lie, so they said to each other: ‘If he stays here tonight, the torment will not come to us.’ Just as the night started, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام went away from there. Furthermore in the morning, black clouds covered the sky. People started believing that the torment is about to come and hence, they gathered their families and animals to move towards the jungle, they started crying and repenting of Kufr in the court of Allah Almighty and accepted Islam. Allah Almighty forgave them, because of their sincere repentance, and so the torment turned away from them. On the other hand, Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام got onto a boat to go somewhere but due to certain reason, people threw him in the river. During that time, a big fish came and swallowed him. When Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was in the stomach of the fish, he made a Du’a. ‘There is no god except You; Glory be to You. Indeed, an out-of-place (act) occurred from me.’ [Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 17, Surah Al-Ambiya, Verse 87) After this Du’a, he came out of the belly of the fish on the 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram (the first month of the Islamic calendar) after staying in it for some days. What did the fish look like? It was a huge fish which could take in the whole boat in its mouth. Since a prophet عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام stayed in it for some days, it will go into the Heaven. The tree of bottle gourd: Since Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام stayed in the belly of fish, he became so weak. His skin had softened a lot, and no hair remained on his body. Allah Almighty grew a gourd tree for him, so that he could rest under the shadow of its leaves and bees don’t come to him as well. In the morning and evening time, a goat would come to him and he would drink its milk, this way the skin of Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام became stronger, the hair grew again, weakness ended as well. After this, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام returned to his nation, and more than one million people accepted Islam through him i.e. they became Muslims. Dear little boys and girls! We came to know from this real story that during troublesome situation, we should always have patience, just like Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام had. We also came to know from this real story that that Ambiya Kiraams عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام holds such a high dignity that even the fish in which Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام stayed will go to the Heaven as well. It also told us that Allah Almighty grew a tree of bottle gourd even though its tree doesn’t exist. Ambiya Kiraams عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام were loved by the animals as well. The goat would walk towards Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام by itself, so that he could drink milk.
8) The two dishes of the Heaven
When the unjust king, Pharoah drowned in the River Nile and died, Allah Almighty ordered Bani Israel - the nation of Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام to fight with Qaum-e-Amalika and get the country Syria (also known as Shaam) free, because the people of Qaum-e-Amalika are very unjust. There were 6 hundred thousand people in the nation of Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام; however, they denied to go to the war. Since they disobeyed Allah Almighty, He gave them a punishment. And then they stayed in a twenty-seven (27) miles big ground for forty (40) years (they were not able to move out of the ground). Having carried their luggage and walked all day, they would stop at a certain point by the night. When they woke up in the morning, they used to be at the same place from where they started walking a day back. This ground is known as the Desert of Tiya (a place to walk). Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام stayed on the same ground as well. What happened on the ground? By the virtue of the Du’a of Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, two dishes would come for Bani Israel straight from the Heaven throughout the week except Saturday. They had a white stone. Whenever water was needed, Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would hit it with his heavenly staff and twelve (12) springs started to flow for Bani Israel. To protect them from the sunshine, an extremely big white cloud would give them shade all day. In the darkness of night, there was a pillar in the middle of the ground which illuminated light. Their hair and nails would not grow. Neither their clothes got torn apart, nor did they get dirty. When a child was born, he would have a dress on this body, just as the child would grow, so would his dress. The punishment of disobeying Allah Almighty According to the command of Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, his nation was not allowed to eat food of the previous day. However, they were allowed to store food on Friday, because it would not come on Saturday. They started storing food (instead of Friday), and as a punishment, whatever food they had stored gone rotten. And since then, the food have stopped coming from the Heaven. (Mukhtalif Tafaseer) Dear little boys and girls! We came to know from this parable that Allah Almighty has great mercy. And Prophets عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام help their nations (i.e. Muslims who embraced Iman). Because of the pious people, Allah Almighty blesses everyone a lot and removes hardships. But still, humans are far away from the thankfulness to Allah Almighty. We also came to know from this parable that if we don’t obey the orders of Allah Almighty, blessings (things given by Allah Almighty) would also be taken away.
9) She-camel that emerge from the rocks of mountain
Almighty Allah sent Sayyiduna Saalih عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام to help the people who lived in the country Samood and make them walk on the right and straight path. Allah Almighty gave the people of Samood a lot of power which enabled them to carve their homes out of mountains. When Sayyiduna Samood عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام commanded his nation to abstain from Kufr, obey Allah and have Iman on Allah Almighty to become Muslims. They asked him to show signs of his Prophethood by taking out a camel from a mountain which has certain characteristics. Therefore, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام made a Du’a and a camel emerged from the mountain with the same characteristics as they wanted. Looking at this, some people became Muslims but some still didn’t. The place had only one pond. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said that: ‘One day, the camel will drink water from this pond and the other day, you all can drink water from it. Moreover, if you kill or slaughter the camel, you all will be punished.’ For some days, they used to have alternative turns for having water but one day, a man was told by everyone to slaughter the camel on Wednesday. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said to his nation: ‘Each and every one of you will die after three (3) days. On the first day, your faces will turn yellow; on the second day, they will turn red and on the third day, they will become black.’ The same thing happened. In the afternoon, on the day of Sunday, a scary noise came and because of it, everyone’s heart ended up bursting. After that, an earthquake came and everyone passed away. Sayyiduna Saalih عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام alongside some Muslims already went to the jungle, and hence they didn’t face any damage. (Siraat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 3, pp. 360-361; Ajaaib-ul-Quran, pp. 103-104) The awesome camel: This she-camel would go to Heaven. (Ghamz-ul-‘Uyoon Al-Basair, vol. 3, p. 239) In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty called this she-camel as His she-camel. (Part 8, Surah Al-A’raf, verse 73) Whenever it was her turn to drink water from the pond, she would give milk which would be enough for every human, and people would get milk instead of water. (Siraat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 3, p. 361) On the Day of Judgement, Sayyiduna Saalih عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would come sitting on this she-camel. (Tareekh Dimashq, vol. 10, p. 459) Dear little boys and girls! We came to know from this parable mentioned in the Holy Quran that Allah Almighty has given Prophets عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام so much power that they could take out an alive camel from the mountain. We also came to know from this parable that Allah Almighty likes the things owned by His pious people, and if anyone does anything wrong to them, Allah Almighty displeases with him. We further came to know from this parable that we should respect the things that are related to the bondsmen of Allah Almighty. Obeying the sayings of the bondsmen of Allah Almighty is full of benefits.
10) A beautiful voice
Allah Almighty blessed all of His Prophets with beautiful voices. Among them is Sayyiduna Dawood عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, Allah Almighty sent upon him the Holy book, Zaboor Shareef. When he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام used to recite Zaboor Shareef, all the humans, animals, Jinnat and birds would gather around him to listen to his recitation, the wind would stop. After listening to his voice, people would start loving Allah Almighty more. And many people used to pass away, listening to this recitation. His recitation was so beautiful that those who had fever would forget their fever. The birds and even the mountains would start doing Zikr of Allah Almighty. And when mountains would do the Zikr of Allah Almighty, their voice would be audible. When the heavenly people have entered the Heaven, Allah Almighty will address him: ‘Oh Dawood! Stand up and recite the 10 verses of Zaboor to My bondmen. So, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would come and begin the recitation, the paradise-dwellers would listen to it and enjoy more than they would have enjoyed the mention of heavenly Hoors that they would sway listening to the recitation. (Different Tafseer books) Dear little boys and girls! We came to know from this parable that Allah Almighty has honored His Prophets عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام a lot. We also came to know that doing the Zikr of Allah Almighty and listening to it is a big blessing, because animals as well as trees seek peace from His remembrance. We should also recite the Holy Quran, remember Allah Almighty, recite Durood Shareef and sway while reciting the Na’ts of Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.
11) What happened to the people of the Jungle?
There was a jungle near Arab Sharif’s famous city, Madyan which was full of trees and bushes, the people who resided there were called Ashab-e-Aikah i.e. the people of jungle. They possessed different evils in themselves. They would make mistakes in measuring and weighing goods, instead of returning people’s things completely, they would lessen their things. They would rob people and take their possessions away. Allah Almighty sent His Prophet Sayyiduna Shu’ayb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام towards the nation in order to guide them on the right path and invite them towards righteousness. Amongst them, there were a very few number of Muslims. Therefore, Sayyiduna Shu’ayb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام first asked them to bring faith in Allah Almighty, become Muslims, caution them from the punishment, made them have faith in his Prophethood and asked them to listen to him while protecting themselves from the evil. The people of jungle heard whatever he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said, and so they replied: ‘Oh Shu’ayb! Someone has done magic on you, you are not an angel but a human just like us. And we consider you a liar because you call yourself a Prophet. If you are a Prophet, then make Du’a to Allah Almighty that he throws the sky upon us as a punishment. Listening to the answer of the people of jungle, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said: ‘Allah Almighty knows what all of you do and talk about, and Allah Almighty knows the punishment that all of you deserve. If He wills, He will throw a piece of sky upon you, and if He wills, He will send upon you another punishment. Allah Almighty opened a door of Hell for them, because of which they felt really hot so they hid in their houses. They would pour water on themselves. However, they would not find peace. The same thing happened for the next seven (7) days and then Allah Almighty sent a cloud upon them which gave them shadow. Due to this cloud, a cold breeze started blowing around, the people came out of their houses and started to gather and stand under the cloud. Once all of them gathered, an earthquake came and the fire started falling from the cloud on people, the people of the jungle started burning and all of them died in some time. (Different Tafseer books) Dear little boys and girls! We came to know from this parable mentioned in the Holy Quran that making a mistake in measuring and weighing things, lessening the quantity before giving it, robbing, and causing damage to others are acts of bad people. Thinking about Prophets عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام as ordinary people is the deed of wrong people, they are human beings but not as ordinary as us, they are away and safe from sins that they don’t commit sins at all. We should respect the people beloved to Allah Almighty. Those who don’t respect elders are at loss in the world as well as in the hereafter.
12) What happened to the owners of Elephants?
Nearly fifteen hundred (1500) years back, the countries Yemen and Abyssinia were ruled by a person known as Abraha. He used to notice people going to perform Hajj and circumambulate around the Holy Ka’bah. He thought that he should build a place for worshipping in the city, Sana’a in Yemen so that all the people come here instead of Holy Ka’bah. So he built a place for worshipping there. The people of Arab didn’t like this and so a person went there and made the place dirty. When Abraha got to know, he got angry and made a promise to demolish the Holy Ka’bah. Abraha alongside his troops started their journey to Makkah Mukarramah. The troop also included a lot of elephants, and the head of the troop was an elephant known as Mahmood whose body was very strong. Because of this, the troop is known as ‘Ashab-e-Feel’ in the Holy Quran which means the ‘people of elephants’. When Abraha reached near Makkah Mukarramah, he stopped at a point and seized the animals of the people of Makkah Mukarramah. He had also seized two hundred (200) camels of Muhammad Mustafa’s grandfather, Sayyiduna Abdul Muttalib رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه. He رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه ordered the people of Makkah Mukarramah to hide in the mountains. Once he was done making Du’a to Allah Almighty for the protection of the Holy Ka’bah, he went to hide in the mountain as well. In the early morning, Abraha brought his troops to attack, the people picked the Elephant named Mahmood up. Mahmood used to go wherever the troop took him, but when they tried taking him towards the Holy Ka’bah, he would sit down. The same thing happened for quite a while and then all of a sudden a lot of Ababeel (black birds with white chest) came, each Ababeel had three (3) small stones, one in their mouths and the other two in their claws, and each stone had a name written on it of the person who had to die. Ababeel started throwing stones, as soon as the stone fell on one of the elephants, it would break the iron cap and enter their head, go through his body and reach the elephant, pierce a hole through his body and then fall on the ground. The same way, everyone died. The year this punishment came was the same year when Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم came into the world i.e. he was born in the same year. (Siraat-ul-Jinan, vol. 10, p. 827; Ajaaib-ul-Quran ma’ Gharaib-ul-Quran, p. 224) Dear little boys and girls! We came to know from this parable that there is a loss in this World and the Hereafter if we disobey Allah Almighty’s commandments. It is mandatory to respect the Holy Ka’bah. The ending of people who disrespect the sacred place is not good just like the ending of Ashaab-e-Feel which wasn’t good. Dear children! It is important to respect the Masjid when we go there to offer Salah, recite the Holy Quran, etc. In the Masjid, we shouldn’t make noise, run nor talk as well.